Wayne Pennington, chair of the geological and mining engineering and sciences department, has been named president of the American Geosciences Institute (AGI).

Pennington received degrees in geophysics and geology from Princeton University (BA in 1972), Cornell University (MS in 1976) and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (PhD in 1979). He has been a professor of geophysical engineering at Michigan Tech since 1994 and became GMES department chair in 2003.

Prior to Michigan Tech, he worked with Marathon Oil and as an assistant professor at University of Texas at Austin. He has held numerous other positions during his career, most recently being a Jefferson Science Fellow at the US Department of State and USAID (Agency for International Development). He also was the chair of the AGI Board of Heads and chairs of earth and space science departments, and first vice president of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.

During his appointment as a Jefferson Science Fellow, he worked in the Office of Infrastructure and Engineering within the Bureau of Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade. After USAID's Office of Science and Technology was created in 2010, he shared his appointment in that office.

In those positions, he first worked on issues relating to earthquake hazard in Afghanistan and science and engineering projects in Pakistan. When the magnitude 7.0 Haiti earthquake occurred, he used the rest of his appointment to coordinate scientific and engineering teams heading to Haiti, to present talks for nontechnical audiences on the seismology of Haiti, and to co-organize a workshop on infusing Haiti's reconstruction with science and engineering.

The AGI is a nonprofit federation of fifty geoscientific and professional associations that represents more than 250,000 geologists, geophysicists and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948, AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of shared interests in the profession, plays a major role in strengthening geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the vital role the geosciences play in society's use of resources, resiliency to natural hazards and interaction with the environment.

More than 30 students and several faculty and staff members are now prepared to provide emergency medical services to the campus community.

The Department of Public Safety and Police Services (PSPS) is rolling out a new program--dubbed Michigan Tech Emergency Medical Services (MTEMS)--designed to provide care anywhere on Tech property in the crucial minutes before an ambulance can arrive on the scene.

"The group volunteers for emergency medical services," said Dan Bennett, director and chief of PSPS. "They provide help until an ambulance shows up, and any help needed once the ambulance is actually there."

When he arrived at Tech over two years ago, Bennett saw a need for an on-campus medical response service that could assist during emergencies--a need now fulfilled.

Last fall, Bennett and Jonathan Stone, emergency medical services director at Tech, contacted students, searching for those with medical training or who wanted to have medical training. Through collaboration with Jason Carter, chair of the kinesiology and integrative physiology department, about 40 students have been able to earn physical education credit while working toward their medical first-responder certification.

Mercy Emergency Medical Service donated an ambulance to the program, which has been retrofitted to provide emergency services instead of transporting patients.

"We’ve had incredible support to get the program running," said Bennett.

Portage Health, President Glenn Mroz, Vice President for Student Affairs Les Cook and Vice President for Administration Ellen Horsch have all been instrumental.

Tim Ward, computer science student and MTEMS volunteer, said the program is helpful for both members of the campus community as well as the larger Keweenaw community.

"A large portion of medical calls to 911 don't need transport to the hospital," said Ward. "We're here to mitigate those types of calls. We provide the same type of care that comes with an ambulance--without the transport--which frees up the ambulances for other calls."

A large team of volunteers guarantees there is always qualified medical assistance available.

"Our volunteer shifts are multiple days long," said Ward. "We have our radios with us and are on call for a few days at a time."

Bennett believes this program provides the Tech community with a crucial service. By being on call 24 hours per day and having a presence at many sporting and other campus events, such as K-Day and Winter Carnival, he says the help the team provides is invaluable.

"It's all about community, staff and students working together for the common good," he said.

Faculty, staff and graduate students are invited to attend this month's First Friday University Social from 4 to 6 p.m. on Oct. 7, in the Paul and Susan Williams Center for Computer Systems Research, EERC fifth floor. Complimentary soda, beer, wine and light snacks will be served. The electrical and computer engineering department will be hosting the event and showcasing the newly remodeled high-performance computing center.

First Friday University Socials began in 2006 to provide a casual setting for members of the campus community to get together informally, share their work and get to know each other. Such informal gatherings often lead to more productive work relationships and an appreciation for diversity.

In an effort to increase the effectiveness of the First Friday Socials initiative, this year will continue to feature departmental partners who will sponsor each month's event. The next social will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Nov. 4, at the Portage Lake Golf Course Par and Grill. International Programs and Services will host.

Hockey Tops Lakehead; Preps for Regular Season Opener
Michigan Tech defeated Lakehead 5-3 in a preseason game Oct. 1. Sophomore Jacob Johnstone recorded a hat trick in the contest. The Huskies will officially open their season Friday, Oct. 7 vs. American International.

Homecoming Football Game Saturday
Michigan Tech will host its annual Homecoming celebration this week. A full slate of activities is scheduled on campus during the week, including a parade and pep rally Friday, Oct. 7. The week will culminate in Saturday's Oct. 8 football game. The No. 21 Huskies will host Saginaw Valley State at Sherman Field at 1 p.m. in a battle of one-loss teams in the GLIAC North Division.

Tech Sports Hall of Fame Induction Set for Saturday
Michigan Tech will induct seven new members into its Sports Hall of Fame at an official ceremony on Saturday, Oct. 8. The new inductees are former men's basketball player Jeff Boinski, former hockey player and assistant coach Dan Farrell, former women's basketball player and coach Darla (Innes) Olson, former football player Jeremy Monroe, former men's tennis player Steve Nykerk, former hockey player Bill Terry and former volleyball player and coach Krista Valdivia.

Myra Moyryla, who is certified for massage therapy and body work, will discuss motor-neuro-sensory reflex integration for conscious motor control and body finesse, as well as how to develop and refine noninvasive techniques that improve, restore or optimize function.

Seating is still available; contact Benefits to register. Bring your lunch; beverages will be provided.

Research Assistant Professor Pasi Lautala (CEE/MTTI) and co-PI John Velat (MTTI) have received $326,206 from the Federal Railroad Administration fro a project, "High Speed Rail Workforce Development through Education and Training."

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Assistant Professor Scott Miers (ME-EM/APSRC) and co-PI Jeffrey Naber (ME-EM) have received $70,536 from the Argonne National Laboratory for a project, "Experimental Engine Testing with Argonne National Laboratory."

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Assistant Professor Robert Froese (SFRES/ESC) and co-PI Linda Nagel (SFRES) have received $30,000 from the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement Inc. for a project, "Evaluating the Long Term Effect of Logging Residue Harvest in Great Lakes Aspen Stands."